Hinduism, Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagwat Gita
I will touch on the above to understand how the concepts I have discussed in earlier posts developed through history. I am neither an expert on history nor on Vedas but will share some of my understanding. Hinduism is referred to not as a religion but as a way of life and is one of the earliest in human progress towards organized thoughts. Some of the sages, like the prophets in the old testament, taught their disciples about God and ways to live, achieve objectives, etc. They taught orally from four different scriptures called the Vedas. These were later transcribed around 500 BC into dried Palm leaves which lasted for several centuries until printing presses were developed in the 19th century. The four Vedas were Rig Veda. Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atarva Veda. The sage Vyasa is credited with developing the Vedas. These included everything from how to live, worship God, perform various rites and rituals to attain one’s desires, and achieve happiness and peace. These included even how to maintain good health, and is still practiced called Ayurveda. In addition, four paths of worship, called marches, were also prescribed and the practice of these was called Yogas. These were Raja Yoga (Discipline). Bakti Yoga (Devotion), Karma Yoga (duty), and finally Gnana Yoga (Knowledge). People could follow any of these paths suited to their temperament. The sages also had leaders called Manus who developed the codes of conduct for people called Manassas and these codes were called Manusmritis. ( I wonder if the words Man and Manuscripts came from that). The Vedas also pointed out that Gnana Yoga will be the way to attain Salvation.
Upanishads: There are over a hundred of the Upanishads and it is believed that these came about when the sages asked their disciples to extract the truths and philosophy of life from the Vedas. These were called the Vedanta While there are some differences based on the writer’s belief in rituals or concepts, the main theme is almost the same. This is essential that the spirit is the engine that drives the body and its organs, the core spirit in each individual is called Atman and it leads to Brahman (God), who is the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient Power that is the cause and effect of everything in this universe. The Upanishads use the term OM (or Aum) to refer to the God dwelling in each one of us as a whole and not as a part of the supreme power. It is this concept that makes people difficult to follow and they would rather worship an idol or image that they can see and believe and is still practiced. However all the mantras of worship start with Om signifying the Brahman within each of us through the description may vary depending on the image, idol, or belief. I will go into more detail on this in the next posting. It is very important to understand that there are not many Gods but one in various forms convenient to our imagination.
The Bhagwat Gita, which came much later, is the description of truth and philosophy of life in poetic forms by Krishna to motivate and focus the attention of the main warrior Arjuna during the Mahabharatha war and they were fighting for justice to regain a part of the kingdom taken over by the Kauravas by cheating them on a chess game. Krishna reiterates the one reality, while also emphasizing the duties we are bound by during our life while on this earth. In the next posting, I will discuss, how Adi Sankara studied Upanishads. Gita and Brahma Sutra developed what is called the Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
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